Proof-of-Concept Study of 3-D–Printed Mold–Guided Breast-Conserving Surgery in Breast Cancer Patients

The present study was designed to prove our concept that a 3-dimensionally (3D) printed mold could be used as a guide for breast-conserving surgery. Eight breast cancer patients were included in the study. Negative margins were achieved in all 8 patients with less normal breast tissue sacrificed. These results indicate that 3D printed molds used to guide a procedure is a feasible method for breast-conserving surgery. In this proof-of-concept study, we proposed 3-D–printed mold–guided breast-conserving surgery (BCS) in breast cancer patients. Pathologically confirmed and eligible breast cancer patients received magnetic resonance imaging examinations before BCS. The information on the shape, size, and location of the tumor relative to the nipple was extracted and analyzed. We used a 3-D printing technique to produce a mold to guide BCS for breast cancer patients. We performed 3-D–printed mold–guided BCS in 8 breast cancer patients. All of the patients had negative surgical margins, confirmed by intraoperative and postoperative pathologic examinations. The 3-D–printed mold–guided BCS approach is a feasible way to achieve negative surgical margins. A prospective designed cohort study, with more patients included and a longer follow-up, is needed to further confirm its long-term oncologic safety.